My grin was large as I stood among the people waiting for the fireworks. There were small fires lit around the plaza, keeping in the warmth from the cold, wintery air. I huddled into myself, making sure not to jostle anyone and risk getting reprimanded. I kept myself out of the centre and front, closer to the forest, just in case trouble came lurking.

Everybody here was with somebody, it seemed, and I couldn't help but feel a little lonesome as they huddled into each other. I eyed the mountain peak from where I stood, glaring at where I knew Neo would be. His eagle eye was literally so good, I bet he could see the annoyance I tried to send his way.

Suddenly, there was a large commotion before a crackling met my ears. My head spun around, my cloak shifting as a sudden flame shot from the ground and leapt into the shy. It went with a sharp shrilling sound before finishing with a huge bang that ended up in a thousand tiny flames.

I gasped as more fireworks started to fly. The warmth, the sounds, the smells were so different from when I watched from the mountains all these years. The noise vibrated in my chest, a deep grumbling. I watched in amazement as the sky transformed into a mesmerising tapestry of vibrant colours.

This beat witch-magic any day.

The roaring grew louder as bigger ones exploded with sharp blows against the dark sky. I looked around, my mouth parted with awe as the dark sky turned into a thousand colours. I laughed gleefully, my chest expanding with joy as the minutes went by.

I heard muttering come from behind me, followed by a few shouts of complaint that had me pause. My hands were against my chest, clasped in a gleeful embrace, and I slowly turned to see the commotion. Through the explosions of fire, a large, snarling voice echoed among the crowd.

"I can smell them!"

My eyes widened as I caught sight of the wolfman, and I spun back around. Lowering my hands to my sides, I quickly scouted a route out of here. The odds of them still being here were low. I thought they would have left by now. The fact they are still wanting their strange wolf broach back must mean it was worth a lot.

Even more of a reason to not give it back.

But curse them for ruining my night!

I muttered small pardons to the surrounding people as I squeezed forward and out of the hoard. I was smaller than everyone here and made light work of slipping into the trees. Not looking back, I quickened my pace once under cover and made a run for it.

"There!"

I cursed, sparing a glance over my shoulder to see them break through the crowds of people. It was the same wolf men as last time, and the one who shouted was the one I stole from. I quickened my pace, pushing my body to its limit. The fireworks continued on, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated that Neo was right. It wasn't safe.

My breaths were even as I pushed myself further, my arrow wounds burning. My cloak billowed behind me, surely slowing me down, but I couldn't lose another. I wouldn't have anything to keep me warm if I got out of this alive. I'd have to find another, and cloaks were hard to steal in the winter.

"Hey! Stop! You won't get away this time!" They shouted.

A fear started in my stomach, one that told me they were right. They were close, and they knew I was going to head for the mountain. Nobody from the crowd would come to my aid; I was doomed.

The mountain path was in my sight, the green, mossy rocks littered with fine dustings of snow. I was so close... if I could just fly, it would make everything so much easier. But I could only jump, and I would reach the-

A startled squark left my throat as a large person pushed into my shoulder. I went down, the combined speed of the hit and my running causing me to slide along the cold dirt. Luckily, I caught my head, but dammit, did my stomach hate me right now.

I groaned, clutching onto my wounds as they screamed protest. Before I could regain my senses, a large boot made its way into my back that had my neck arching with a gasp. My berries!

"Dumb human, did you really think you could outrun us?" The victim, I shall call Wolfman, chuckled. "I am surprised you are alive."

I weakly groaned, pushing myself up onto my elbows. My blue eyes met their darker ones, both equally filled with menace. As I held his gaze, I slowly slid my hand into my pocket and grasped my knife. The cool wooden handle met my hot skin, and I inhaled deeply.

He reached for me, but I acted on pure adrenaline and rolled away, swiping my dagger with the momentum. It collided with his hand, causing him to hiss. Point to me.

He growled. "Why you fucking-

I was fast, jumping to my feet and swiping him again, this time catching his coat. It sliced the fabric and without another thought; I braced myself away from him. He snarled, clenching his fists to stop the pain.

"You cannot out-fight us, human." He chuckled.

"I can try." I breathed.

He rose a thick eyebrow at me, a sinister smirk lifting his lips. "Let's dance then, shall we?"

I gritted my jaw, shrugging and adjusting the knife in my hand. He came at me, choosing the offensive as his arms swiped for blood. I dipped and dodged multiple throws of his hands, kicking him in the knee as I dropped and rolled around him. He growled at my sudden disappearance, spinning to kick me, so I stabbed him in the damn leg.

Wolfman yelled, his blood painting the blade as I yanked it out and rolled under him. I became aware of the other two, moving toward me at their apparent-leader's command and I huffed, annoyed.

I was severely outnumbered.

"Okay, three against one? Bit harsh, isn't it?" I clicked my tongue.

The leader growled. "You're a no-good, thieving human. You don't deserve kind treatment."

I rose an eyebrow as he straightened his spine to intimidate me. "All this for a pin?"

He bared his teeth. "You better still have it."

I shrugged. "You'll never find out."

I heard his teeth grind and winced at the awful sound. We started the dance again, only this time he landed a hit on my good arm. I grunted at the bruising pain but ignored it, and darted away from him. Crouching low, I moved first, faux passing him on the left and slicing him on the right. He grunted as my knife nicked his skin, kicking his leg out in protest. I jumped out of the way, only to end up bumping into one of his goonies.

This goonie growled, and I noticed the same shiny pin on his coat, only this one had darker green eyes. He moved to wrap his arms around and trap me so I was quick to spin around and face him, stabbing him in the arm. His movements stuttered, and I made light work of removing his pin and slipping it under my sleeve before kicking him in the back of the legs.

Goon two was next, his dark hair hanging over his eyes. He threw punches, fast ones, to the point it was almost dizzying. I avoided them successfully, running around him and kicking him in the stomach. They were very hands-on these wolves; not a lot of footwork.

Running behind goon two as he swung rather overly-dramatically, I stabbed him in the shoulder. He yelled out, alarmed, and goon one came towards us. Using the knife to my advantage, I shoved goon two into him, grinning when the two collided with shouts of protest.

They were grown ass men. Was I just that amazing?

The leader was watching from the side-lines, his gaze dark as he sneered at me. Turning my knife to the side, I crouched and gestured him forward. He cracked his neck, and before I could even blink, charged toward me.

He collided into me with such force; I felt myself fly. I smacked into a tree, feeling something crack inside of my torso that definitely should not have. My head ached, my vision swirling as the impact no doubt broke the skin at the back of my skull. I groaned, slumping to the ground, only to have him pick me up by the coat and restrain me to the tree.

"Where is my pin?"

I didn't answer, too busy trying to catch my bearings.

My knife was no longer in my hand, and I could feel the blood pool down the back of my neck through my hat.

The wolfman punched my face, my head flying to the side. I felt my lip catch on my tooth, splitting and filling my mouth with blood. I cried out in pain. The burning inside of my body was not normal.

"Where is my pin, human?" He shook me.

My head rattled, and with everything snapped inside of me right now, it surprised me I wasn't glowing like a glow stick.

"Just kill him!" One goon snapped. "He fucking stabbed me with silver."

"I cannot just kill him; we are on visiting land." He snarled. "Plus, he has my pin."

"I also have his." I snickered.

There was a brief pause before the other two started to curse and come toward me. The leader's grip on my coat tightened around my neck to the point I couldn't breathe. My vision was already hazy. He wasn't exactly helping me paint a picture here.

Where was Neo? Dammit, that cat-bird should be saving my ass.

"We will take him with us," Wolfman snarled. "After I get my pin back, we can decide his punishment."

"Death is punishment." Goon one snapped.

"We need permission from the head fae first." He huffed.

I snorted. "Can't even do as you please, you brain washed dogs."

Another punch to the other side of my face had me wheezing as my head spun. He dropped me and kicked me in the stomach, right in the damn arrow wound. I gasped in pain, my vision blurring into one large mass.

"Let's move. We go now, we reach Salkyr by sunrise."

"Road trip? How exciting." I mused.

There was growling before someone forced me to stand. "You will walk, boy."

Walk? I thought I was the brain damaged one.

I rolled my eyes as the vertical change caused me to lose control of my body. This was it; I was going to pass out in the arms of some dogs.

"Actually, I think I shall sleep." I murmured, just as unconsciousness took over.

***

I one hundred percent blame Neo for this happening.

Not only was he the one to not tell me the wolves were right there, he also did not train me well-enough to escape. Plus, he did not swoop down and save me, like an honorary guardian angel should.

Stupid cat-bird.

As for now, the only reason I came to my senses is because I was being dragged, yep, dragged, out of warmth and across some cement. Like dragging someone by the arms across cement? May as well just set fire to my calves.

I thrashed in their hold for the first few moments, only to stop when they grabbed my throat, and forced me to look Wolfman in his dark eyes. Damn, my face hurts. Was the world always this blurry? Were his eyes always that dark?

"Stop fighting it, human." He spat.

I rolled my eyes, and he set me down on my feet. I shakily walked, finding my wrists tied behind my back. Looking at my surroundings, I noticed a great expanse of gardens and water fountains.

"You run; we catch you."

Huffing, I focused my gaze on ahead of me. Two large castle-like doors were right in front of me, and after weakly walking up some steps, they opened and revealed a huge ass foyer. Everything was mystical in here; white and gold, with enormous portraits of fae littering the walls. The wolf kept his grip on my bicep tight, leading me through the maze of the old castle to another large wooden door.

"Name and purpose." A guard commanded, blocking our way.

"Beta Giometti of Drolmuun." Wolfman grunted. "With permission previously gained for a sentencing."

The guard studied him before letting his eyes wander over me. They narrowed, scanning my features before nodding once and stepping to the side. A large knock on the doors and they opened, revealing a... well, it looks like a throne room to me.

With sky high ceilings full of intricate designs and flecked with gold, this throne room was rather spectacular. The floor was white, and our footsteps echoed as we neared a platform. Five high fae sat in large chairs at the end of the room, and they forced us to stop about ten metres away.

I knew I was in for some shit when I spotted her.

The noblest of fae, the Queen of fae, Sofina was here.